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Early deployment likely for headquarters

Troop movements are a way of life for America’s military and 3rd Infantry Division officials want soldiers’ families to know that an early deployment is possible. In a press release Tuesday, officials said the division is in the initial stage of planning for a possible early deployment of the headquarters unit to Iraq. The headquarters unit consists of more than 800 soldiers and is the command and control element for the division. “We don't want people to jump to conclusions we just want to give people some predictability” said Fort Stewart Public Affairs Spokesperson Maj. Alayne Conway. The 1st Brigade Combat Team deployed earlier this month and more than 4,000 soldiers are already in Iraq with 3rd and 2nd BCTs set to deploy in March and May. In earlier reports, it was noted the headquarters along with the Aviation and 3rd Sustainment Brigades would deploy sometime this summer. Pres. George W. Bush’s call for troop increases bumped up the deployment cycle for the 3rd and 2nd BCTs by nearly two months, but Conway said no official deployment orders have been received. The 3rd Infantry Division commanding general, Maj. Gen. Rick Lynch, has maintained since taking command the division would deploy to Iraq during his command tenure. The division has been on a yearlong preparation cycle since it redeployed in January 2006. This past week Lynch said no training has been condensed and all required training would be accomplished by April 15.The current deployment sequence remains the same, Conway said. This week, Lynch and his primary staff are undergoing regular battle command training at Fort Leavenworth, Kan. “They are getting up to date briefings and current information about what's happening in Iraq now,” Conway said. “This will prepare the staff and commanders and focus them for the MRE (Mission Readiness Exercise) in April,” she said. Conway noted there is no decision or notification of an early deployment for the headquarters at this time. “We’re just trying to give the soldiers and families more information in case they hear inaccurate information,” she said.